The Green Lantern depicter is no longer committed to the Summit project, which envisioned him as immortal Scottish swordsman Connor MacLeod.
- Jun 18, 2013
AceShowbiz - The Wrap reports that Ryan Reynolds has just dropped out of "Highlander", Summit Entertainment's upcoming reboot of the 1986 film. It is not clear what causes Reynolds, who took on the role as Scottish swordsman Connor MacLeod in the project, to depart from it.
Reynolds follows in the footsteps of Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, who was set to serve behind the lens for the reboot. The Spanish helmer, who directed Clive Owen in "Intruders", bowed out of it last November due to creative differences. The 45-year-old filmmaker himself was the replacement of Justin Lin, who at that time chose "Fast and Furious 6" over it.
Connor MacLeod is an immortal swordsman who is forced to confront the Kurgan, a barbarian who lusts for the fabled "Prize." In the original movie, Christopher Lambert was tapped to play that character, and starred alongside Roxanne Hart, Clancy Brown and Sean Connery.
A source close to the production tells the site that "Reynolds' exit may actually prove beneficial for the project, as a new director will be able to cast a new leading man rather than inherit a previous filmmaker's decision."
Lin still gets involved in the project as an executive producer, with Neal H. Moritz and Peter S. Davis set to produce the feature. Whoever is eventually chosen to helm it will direct based on the screenplay by Art Marcum and Matt Holloway.
Reynolds will have his two films opening this July in the U.S. "Turbo", in which he voices the titular character, is set for a July 17 release. As for "R.I.P.D.", the action comedy with Jeff Bridges as Reynolds' co-star will be unleashed on July 19.
